YOUR VOICES

This page is designed to give everyone in our Skijoring Community a chance to express themselves in a public forum. Please submit statements or questions to our Team at info@skijorusa.com and we will post them on our site. Keep in mind that thought provocative, constructive and appropriately worded comments are to everyone's benefit. In time, our intention is to create a blog in which "hot topics" can be discussed in an open forum.

We need an organization with a backbone. One that enforces the rules it sets forth and does not make exceptions for certain competitors or at certain races.

We need a national organization with a strong emphasis on horse welfare and safety, including rules specifically pertaining to drug use and testing. 

There is a wealth of expertise out there! We need to tap into these resources and listen to those who have been skijoring for 25 years or more. Their perspective is very valuable.

Our races need larger sponsorships. It takes resources to organize and execute an event. We need an organization that can appeal to national sponsors and secure monetary funding that will benefit us all.

First and foremost, courses should be designed with horse safety in mind. Also at the top of the list should be courses which require horsemanship, skier agility and teamwork. In other words, a “horse race” is not a skijoring competition. 

Race announcers need to know more about the competitors and inform the spectators as to who is racing, how they have finished in other races earlier in the season or in previous years, and keep the crowd more engaged in general.

Guaranteed payouts (or at least percentages) need to be posted in advance of the race. When a competitor travels the distance and wins, then walks away with less than was advertised, it leaves a bad impression.

If a competitor has worked all year to achieve success in a division, points to secure that championship title should not be suddenly denied them at the close of the season. A new system needs to be considered, like a 4D barrel racing format, to eliminate this problem. If time splits were used as the criteria for placement, a natural order of divisions would ensue.

More attention and consideration needs to be given to the start gates and run outs. The start area is a place where a lot is at stake and plenty can go wrong. We have valuable volunteers in place in this area who are willing to put their own safety on the line for the sake of competitors and their horses. Likewise, the race is not over once the timer stops. The horse and rider need a run out that is every bit as safe as the track.